UPSC Mains 2016 — GS1 questions

Indian Heritage & Culture, History, Geography & Society. 20 questions in this collection, each linked to its theme.

1. GS12016GS1-CUL-04-M2016-S01

   Early Buddhist Stupa-art, while depicting folk motifs and narratives successfully expounds Buddhist ideals. Elucidate.

   Theme: T4 Buddhist art & sculpture schools: stupa, Gandhara, Pala

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2. GS12016GS1-CUL-06-M2016-S01

   Krishnadeva Raya, the King of Vijayanagar, was not only an accomplished scholar himself but was also a great patron of learning and literature. Discuss.

   Theme: T8 Patronage, learning centres & medieval technology

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3. GS12016GS1-GEO-01-M2016-S01

   “The Himalayas are highly prone to landslides.” Discuss the causes and suggest suitable measures of mitigation.

   Theme: T27 Landslides in the Himalayas & Western Ghats

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4. GS12016GS1-GEO-02-M2016-S01

   Discuss the concept of air mass and explain its role in macro-climatic changes.

   Theme: T29 Atmosphere, air masses, winds, inversion, deserts & auroras

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5. GS12016GS1-GEO-03-M2016-S01

   South China Sea has assumed great geopolitical significance in the present context. Comment.

   Theme: T116 Indo-Pacific, Quad, AUKUS & sea lanes: straits, South China Sea, trade shift

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6. GS12016GS1-GEO-05-M2016-S01

   The effective management of land and water resources will drastically reduce the human miseries. Explain.

   Theme: T44 Water security: scarcity, conservation & management

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7. GS12016GS1-GEO-05-M2016-S02

   Present an account of the Indus Water Treaty and examine its ecological, economic and political implications in the context of changing bilateral relations.

   Theme: T47 River interlinking & water disputes: inter-state and transboundary

   Also needs: T113 Pakistan & Afghanistan: terror, distrust, soft power, surgical strikes, ISAF withdrawalCopyReport a typo
8. GS12016GS1-GEO-06-M2016-S01

   Enumerate the problems and prospects of inland water transport in India.

   Theme: T136 Transport connectivity: tolling, UDAN, inland waterways, urban transport

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9. GS12016GS1-GEO-07-M2016-S01

   In what way micro-watershed development projects help in water conservation in drought-prone and semi-arid regions of India?

   Theme: T44 Water security: scarcity, conservation & management

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10. GS12016GS1-HIS-04-M2016-S01

    Explain how the upraising of 1857 constitutes an important watershed in the evolution of British policies towards colonial India.

    Theme: T12 1857 and tribal–peasant resistance to colonial rule

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11. GS12016GS1-HIS-06-M2016-S01

    Discuss the role of women in the freedom struggle especially during the Gandhian phase.

    Theme: T64 Women's question in history: 19th-century reform & freedom struggle

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12. GS12016GS1-HIS-07-M2016-S01

    Highlight the difference in the approach of Subhash Chandra Bose and Mahatma Gandhi in the struggle for freedom.

    Theme: T15 Gandhi: mass movements, constructive programme, ideas & contemporaries

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13. GS12016GS1-HIS-08-M2016-S01

    Has the formation of linguistic states strengthened the cause of Indian unity?

    Theme: T19 Integration & reorganisation of states: princely states, linguistic states, new & smaller states

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14. GS12016GS1-SOC-01-M2016-S01

    Why are the tribals in India referred to as ‘the Scheduled Tribes’? Indicate the major provisions enshrined in the Constitution of India for their upliftment.

    Theme: T51 Tribal identity, rights & development

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15. GS12016GS1-SOC-04-M2016-S01

    “An essential condition to eradicate poverty is to liberate the poor from the process of deprivation.” Substantiate this statement with suitable examples.

    Theme: T74 Poverty: measurement, causes & alleviation

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16. GS12016GS1-SOC-05-M2016-S01

    With a brief background of quality of urban life in India, introduce the objectives and strategy of the ‘Smart City Programme.’

    Theme: T57 Smart cities, rural–urban integration & urban transport

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17. GS12016GS1-SOC-05-M2016-S02

    Major cities of India are becoming vulnerable to flood conditions. Discuss.

    Theme: T58 Urban floods

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18. GS12016GS1-SOC-06-M2016-S01

    To what extent globalisation has influenced the core of cultural diversity in India? Explain.

    Theme: T59 Globalisation & Indian society and culture

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19. GS12016GS1-SOC-07-M2016-S01

    What is the basis of regionalism? Is it that unequal distribution of benefits of development on regional basis eventually promotes regionalism? Substantiate your answer.

    Theme: T63 Regionalism & regional disparity

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20. GS12016GS1-WH-02-M2016-S01

    The anti-colonial struggles in West Africa were led by the new elite of Western educated Africans. Examine.

    Theme: T25 Colonisation & decolonisation: Africa, Malaya, Suez

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